Actuary Pay

Houston vs Laredo: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Houston, TX and Laredo, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$84,283
$40.52/hr
Laredo, TX
$130,572
$62.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLaredo, TX
Median Salary$84,283$130,572
Hourly Rate$40.52$62.78
Entry Level (P10)$60,496$76,948
25th Percentile$60,496$96,559
75th Percentile$135,718$167,131
Top Earner (P90)$189,031$202,387
Total Employed39048
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($84,283) and Laredo ($130,572) actuary salaries.HoustonLaredoMedian Salary$84,283$130,572Entry Level (P10)$60,496$76,948Top Earner (P90)$189,031$202,387US Median $134,160

Verdict

Laredo, TX offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.

The salary gap between Houston and Laredo is $46,289 (54.92%). Laredo's median is -2.67% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $128,535,Laredo spans $125,439. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$60,496
P25$60,496
Median$84,283
P75$135,718
P90 (Top)$189,031
Laredo
P10 (Entry)$76,948
P25$96,559
Median$130,572
P75$167,131
P90 (Top)$202,387

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Laredo ($136,013 effective) pays 59.16% more than Houston ($85,455 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $84,283
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $85,455
Laredo
Nominal: $130,572
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $136,013

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Laredo if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,572/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($202,387)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,013)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Houston grew -15.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Laredo over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-15.6%

$96,750 (2019) → $81,670 (2025)

Laredo, TX

+1.6%

$124,577 (2024) → $126,523 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Houston or Laredo?

Laredo has a higher median actuary salary at $130,572/year, compared to Houston at $84,283/year — a difference of $46,289 (54.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Laredo?

Houston actuarys earn $40.52/hr while Laredo hygienists earn $62.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Laredo as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Laredo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $85,455, Laredo = $136,013), job availability (390 vs 48 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Houston vs Laredo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $60,496 in Houston and $76,948 in Laredo. The Laredo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov